TAKE YOUR TIME before you commit to plan. Don't rush and don't let others rush you. The section will talk to you and tell you what it needs - if you are prepared to take the time to look and listen to it. Where does the sun rise and set? Does the site face North, South, East or West? Where are the views? What direction do the prevailing winds come from? Are there any water courses that might cause flooding issues? What direction do you approach the site from? Are there existing trees or other natural features that need to be included and considered. What soil type are you dealing with - rocky, volcanic, boggy, clay etc. Make a list of all the things that you think will be important to know about the site itself for ever starting picking out floor plans. Once you have the answers to those questions, the type of floorplan you require will begin to automatically narrow a little, making your job a lot easier. When you have a good picture of where you feel your basic rooms might be best located, then work out a budget. Build in a contingency amount that you will not go above. THEN go and talk to an architect. I know, the idea of employing an architect sounds expensive and it can be but it can also be the best money you ever spend. Friends of ours have just built an architecturally designed home on a very modest budget and it is just the most wonderful wee house, with loads of unique features that had they gone for a standard 'off the plan' house, they would have missed out on. I'm not going to suggest the type of house you should have. You don't need to know that from me. Formulate what design types you like. Make a scrap book of colours and styles you like. When I read your letter, your thoughts seemed to me, to be all over the place. You are excited - I get that but start to control you enthusiasm and begin to narrow your focus just a little..... actually, quite a lot. I get that this is your dream home but if you don't focus, you can make it your nightmare and that would be such a shame. Start with the basic approach above. Listen to others by all means but once you know the basis of design you are going for, stick with it - and that's why I say to use an architect. A good architect will help you to focus. Best of luck. It will be nice to see the progress.

I would do the full wall storage and I wouldn’t put the sofa against the back. The room is quite long so I add a 1/2 height nib wall parallel to the sliding door but leaving room to walk in and though. The TV then goes against the nib wall with the sofa facing it. Then in the space behind the sofa you can add a work table.

The ofice looks to be a similar style to the rest of the house , and I suspect was built at the same time , or at least very sympathetically -- with only 2 people , it doesn't overly matter , but I'd probably keep it -- there looks to be quite a bit of space . The enclosed decking though is weirder -- I'd remove the walls , unless theres privacy or similar reasons ? Another option may be replace with vertical battens -- they'll shield views but let through more light , and done in say a matt Japanese black or similar would add to things .

The long wall you could put in a long bench with storage drawers under. Then art work above maybe some shelves. Short wall depends on window treatments. But prob a picture. As it is a view point